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Genesis 37 ESV

Jacob lived in the land of his father’s sojournings, in the land of Canaan. These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?” And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind. Now his brothers went to pasture their father’s flock near Shechem. And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” And he said to him, “Here I am.” So he said to him, “Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock, and bring me word.” So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. And a man found him wandering in the fields. And the man asked him, “What are you seeking?” “I am seeking my brothers,” he said. “Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.” And the man said, “They have gone away, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’ ” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan. They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.” But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father. So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt. When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he tore his clothes and returned to his brothers and said, “The boy is gone, and I, where shall I go?” Then they took Joseph’s robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son’s robe or not.” And he identified it and said, “It is my son’s robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.” Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted and said, “No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” Thus his father wept for him. Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.

Dreams Deferred: The Journey of Joseph

Bible Passage: Genesis 37

Summary: Genesis 37 recounts the story of Joseph, a favored son with dreams of greatness, and the jealousy and betrayal he faces from his brothers. This chapter sets the stage for his journey from favored son to a slave in Egypt, highlighting themes of faith, betrayal, and God's sovereign plan.

Application: This passage teaches us that even in the face of betrayal and hardship, God is at work behind the scenes. It encourages Christians to persevere through their struggles, reminding them that their dreams and calling are part of a larger divine narrative. It speaks to the audience's own experiences of disappointment and ambiguity in their life's journeys.

Teaching: The sermon could illustrate the importance of holding onto faith during difficult times, especially when faced with the betrayal of loved ones. It also teaches that dreams and aspirations may be delayed or challenged, but that does not mean they are lost or forgotten by God.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage foreshadows Christ, who also faced betrayal and suffering yet achieved God's redemptive plan. Just as Joseph's journey pointed toward the eventual deliverance of his family, Christ's journey leads to the salvation of humanity.

Big Idea: Even in our darkest moments and through the betrayals by those we love, God is orchestrating a purpose and promising redemption that will surpass our understanding.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider diving deeper into the cultural context of Joseph's family dynamics and the significance of dreams in ancient Israel. Utilize Logos to explore the Hebrew meanings of key terms and examine how Joseph's eventual rise parallels Christ's story of suffering and glory. Additionally, it might be helpful to compare Joseph’s narrative with other biblical figures who experienced betrayal.

1. Favoritism Breeds Fissures

Genesis 37:1-4

Perhaps you could highlight how Joseph's father's favoritism initiates the story and the jealousy of his brothers. This sets the scene for understanding betrayal by those closest to us. Joseph's dreams and the special love of his father symbolize God's unique calling for each of us, despite family complexities. The sermon could suggest reflecting on personal stories where betrayal has been a challenge to our faith and how God's purpose is still present above human frailty.

2. Dreams Amidst Discord

Genesis 37:5-11

You could discuss Joseph's dreams as divine revelations of his future. Despite being misunderstood and ridiculed, Joseph holds onto them. Maybe suggest that dreams aligned with God’s will are not mere fantasies but are divinely inspired pathways to our true purpose. Reflect on how these dreams foreshadow a future redemption, much like Christ’s mission being declared amidst disbelief. Encouragement might stem from holding onto faith when dreams seem deferred.

3. Devious Designs of Brothers

Genesis 37:12-20

Perhaps highlight how Joseph’s brothers conspire to harm him, driven by envy and hatred. This passage serves as a reminder that betrayal often comes from unexpected quarters. You could emphasize relying on God’s wisdom and patience as we navigate hurtful situations, trusting His bigger plan. The sermon might liken this to Jesus’ experience, where betrayal precedes the ultimate redemption for mankind.

4. Despair, Yet Divine Purpose

Genesis 37:21-36

Maybe suggest how this section reveals the pain of betrayal and the falsehood told to Jacob about Joseph’s fate. These verses could emphasize how darkness is not the absence of God’s plan but is often part of His narrative. The sermon might encourage viewers to trust that God uses even unwarranted hardship for a purposeful outcome, just as Joseph’s journey foreshadows Christ’s betrayal yet ultimate victory.

If you’re facing sibling rivalry or feeling overshadowed at home, reflect on Joseph’s experience with his brothers. This week, initiate a positive conversation with your siblings. Plan a fun activity where you can bond, like a game night or a movie marathon. Use this time to openly express your appreciation for each other, fostering an environment of love and support, similar to how reconciliation is a theme throughout Joseph's journey.

Sometimes, you may feel like giving up on your passions due to ridicule, like Joseph experienced with his dreams. This week, write down your dreams and goals. Then, make a plan on how to take small, realistic steps towards one of them daily. Share this plan with your family and ask them for accountability. Their support can make a huge difference, reminding you that pursuing your God-given dreams is worth it!

Joseph's story is an emotional rollercoaster, filled with highs of dreaming and lows of betrayal. When he first shared his dreams, he likely felt excitement, envisioning a future full of promise. Yet that excitement quickly turned into despair as he experienced the depth of his brothers' jealousy. But in this story of despair, we see hope; God took Joseph's suffering and transformed it. This teaches us that even the darkest nights can lead to a bright morning if we hold onto our dreams and faith in God’s plan.

Imagine the heartache in Joseph's life—the betrayal by his brothers, the years spent in prison. He must have felt abandoned and alone, questioning his dreams. But instead of giving up, he chose to trust God's process. Through every setback, Joseph remained steadfast in faith, which eventually led him to become a ruler in Egypt. Joseph teaches us that dreams come with trials, and it’s during these trials that our character and faith are forged. Our God-given dreams may seem far away, but they are crafted through our lowest moments.

Consider the life of Helen Keller, who fought through profound deafness and blindness since childhood. Helen refused to be defined by her limitations and instead pursued a vision of possibility. With the help of her teacher Anne Sullivan, she transformed her dreams into reality, becoming an influential author and activist. Helen’s journey shows us that our dreams can guide us, illuminate paths, and inspire others to overcome their challenges.

In the history of the early church, a vision transformed a reluctant fisherman named Peter. In Acts 10, Peter saw a sheet coming down from heaven filled with unclean animals, and he was told to eat. God was showing him that His love and grace were to be extended to all people, breaking racial and cultural barriers. This vision not only affected Peter but also changed the course of the early church, leading to the inclusion of Gentiles.